King Charles III to Meet Pope Francis During Vatican State Visit
LONDON (AP) — King Charles III is set to have an audience with Pope Francis during an upcoming state visit to the Vatican next month. This suggests the Holy See is optimistic about the Pontiff’s ability to resume his duties, barring any unforeseen complications in his recovery from double pneumonia.
Details regarding the British monarch’s visit to the Vatican and Italy were released on Tuesday by Buckingham Palace, which included the tentative audience. State visits are typically planned in close consultation with the Vatican’s Secretariat of State.
The palace separately confirmed that Charles had privately corresponded with the Pope during his illness. Francis, 88, has been hospitalized since February 14. The Vatican announced Monday it had reduced the frequency of its medical updates, citing gradual improvements in the Pope’s condition. The next bulletin is expected no earlier than Wednesday.
Building Bridges Between Faiths
The visit to the Vatican holds symbolic significance, representing efforts to strengthen bonds between the Catholic Church and the Church of England. The Church of England separated from Rome in the 16th century under King Henry VIII. Charles, who serves as the head of the Church of England, has prioritized fostering interfaith connections since ascending the throne 2.5 years ago.
Itinerary Includes Italy and Rome
The King’s three-day trip begins April 7 and will encompass several events within Italy, including its capital, Rome, which encompasses Vatican City.
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Key Events and Objectives:
- Strengthening Bilateral Ties: In Rome, Charles will emphasize the strong relationship between Britain and Italy, two NATO allies, during a period when European nations are working to enhance support for Ukraine’s fight against Russian aggression.
- Joint Flypast: The visit will feature a joint flypast over Rome, performed by the Italian Air Force’s aerobatic team, the Frecce Tricolori, and their Royal Air Force counterparts, the Red Arrows.
- Ravenna Reception: The King and Queen will attend a reception in Ravenna, in the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the region’s liberation from the Nazis by Allied forces on April 10, 1945.
- Emilia-Romagna Focus: The royals will also celebrate the cuisine of the Emilia-Romagna region and meet with local farmers affected by recent floods.
“The visit to Italy will underscore the depth and breadth of the bilateral relationship,” the palace stated.
Historic Visit to Papal Basilica
A central event during Charles’ trip to the Vatican will be a historic first. As the supreme governor of the Church of England, the King will visit the Papal Basilica of St. Paul’s Outside the Walls. This site celebrates reconciliation and ecumenical relations between Christian faiths. Choirs from the King’s Chapel Royal, St. George’s Chapel at Windsor Castle, and the Sistine Chapel will perform.
Before the split from Rome during the Protestant Reformation, English kings held a special connection to the basilica. The church was built over a white marble sarcophagus believed for approximately 2,000 years to be the tomb of St. Paul.
The visit coincides with the Papal Jubilee, a year dedicated to forgiveness and reconciliation observed by the Catholic Church every 25 years.
“The Visit to the Holy See will be an historic visit in the year of the Papal Jubilee, and will mark a significant step forward in relations between the Catholic Church and Church of England,” the palace said.